While seeming like a prospect of "Where are they now?" crossed with "Growing up Brady", this was an inventive format. Narrative with actors for some parts, presentations by the original actors for others, and vox populi for yet other parts, they all blended together to make for a trippy sort of special, especially when the staged narratives used original actors (Dawn Wells at Alan Hale Jr's funeral) and the presentations used the young actors (the questions about the professor getting off the island, why did they have so much clothing?). I won't say much about the actual content, but I was pleasantly surprised at the way they presented it.
Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History (2001 TV Movie)
User Reviews
Review this title29 Reviews
Well Done! Propaganda certainly not!
Swampthing3167 February 2003
This documentary movie hosted by Dawn Wells, Bob Denver and Russel Johnson was incredibly well done!
The actors that re-enacted the roles of the castaways were superb, the young man who portrayed Jim Backus had a hell of a task on his hands and performed pretty well.
The actor who Portrayed Alan Hale had his character down to a Science. Tina Louis was portrayed most accurately.
If you pay close attention to this movie it explains why Tina never comes to the reunions, she wanted nothing to do with this show after it was over, she demanded extra high pay to play Ginger in the Rescue from Gilligan's Island so Schwartz told her where to go and he got another actress, this is not mentioned in the film.
The fact that Tina Louis was tricked into doing this show by her agent is a good enough explaination and is fully explained here.
No one is portrayed as a saint in this film, whoever made that comment was totally wrong!
This film follows up the E! True Hollywood Story Nicely and by the way Tina Louis allowed herself to be interviewed by E! for that documentary.
I give this 4 stars for excellent acting and accuracy! Worth checking out if it is shown again.
The actors that re-enacted the roles of the castaways were superb, the young man who portrayed Jim Backus had a hell of a task on his hands and performed pretty well.
The actor who Portrayed Alan Hale had his character down to a Science. Tina Louis was portrayed most accurately.
If you pay close attention to this movie it explains why Tina never comes to the reunions, she wanted nothing to do with this show after it was over, she demanded extra high pay to play Ginger in the Rescue from Gilligan's Island so Schwartz told her where to go and he got another actress, this is not mentioned in the film.
The fact that Tina Louis was tricked into doing this show by her agent is a good enough explaination and is fully explained here.
No one is portrayed as a saint in this film, whoever made that comment was totally wrong!
This film follows up the E! True Hollywood Story Nicely and by the way Tina Louis allowed herself to be interviewed by E! for that documentary.
I give this 4 stars for excellent acting and accuracy! Worth checking out if it is shown again.
Just Sit Right Back...
aesgaard4122 October 2001
I never saw the promos for this wonderful feat of nostalgic fun, but as a Gilligan fan, I knew it was coming up. It was as funny and as cartoonish as the series with the last three survivors (if you consider Tina Louise killed "Ginger") telling in front of the camera their favorite anecdotes and having them acted out for all the fans who already know them. The host segments were wonderful, and the flashbacks were made wonderful by actors who looked like the castaways. I have seen Eric Allen Kramer and Steven Vinovich play other roles, but it was this movie that convinced me just how much they look like the Skipper and Mr. Howell. Samantha Harris and Kristen Dalton were equally wonderful as Mary Ann/Dawn Wells and Ginger/Tina Louise. I wonder how Tina is going to take this bashing portrayal of herself as a prima donna. If anything, I'd love to see these new actors take over the roles and bring back the series. If they can return us the the series, maybe they can bring back the series.
Marvelous, Nostalgic Look at an Amazing Phenomenon
Popeye-815 October 2001
With wit, charm and a decidedly protuding "tongue in cheek", the surviving "Gilligan's Island" cast gets together one more time, but ON THEIR TERMS...no "True Hollywood Story" paranoia here.
Using actors to portray them in their youth (as well as the deceased Backus, Hale and Schaefer), Dawn Wells, Bob Denver and Russell Johnson (along with Sherwood Schwarz, the show's creator) tell of the ups and downs of the longest tour in nautical history. The use of actors to tell the story's choppy history (it was hated by critics and CBS execs but loved by the public, much to CBS's confusion and dismay) can often be an 'iffy' proposal, but here it works wonders (the sudden jump of Wells into her "past" is especially funny and effective).
Their approach on the issue of Tina Louise (who long ago rejected the show) was honest but not as harsh as they likely could have been. Other stories, such as the demise of Jim Backus and Alan Hale and Natalie Schaefer's breast cancer, are very poignant and told with great dignity.
Special notice to Dwayne Hickman (Bob Denver's co-hort on DOBIE GILLIS) who does a nice cameo as a remarkably arrogant and dense CBS executive.
Overall, a well-developed story told beautifully, and a nostalgic trip on the SS Minnow sails smoothly. If only ALL tv shows had this chance to "finish the story"...
Using actors to portray them in their youth (as well as the deceased Backus, Hale and Schaefer), Dawn Wells, Bob Denver and Russell Johnson (along with Sherwood Schwarz, the show's creator) tell of the ups and downs of the longest tour in nautical history. The use of actors to tell the story's choppy history (it was hated by critics and CBS execs but loved by the public, much to CBS's confusion and dismay) can often be an 'iffy' proposal, but here it works wonders (the sudden jump of Wells into her "past" is especially funny and effective).
Their approach on the issue of Tina Louise (who long ago rejected the show) was honest but not as harsh as they likely could have been. Other stories, such as the demise of Jim Backus and Alan Hale and Natalie Schaefer's breast cancer, are very poignant and told with great dignity.
Special notice to Dwayne Hickman (Bob Denver's co-hort on DOBIE GILLIS) who does a nice cameo as a remarkably arrogant and dense CBS executive.
Overall, a well-developed story told beautifully, and a nostalgic trip on the SS Minnow sails smoothly. If only ALL tv shows had this chance to "finish the story"...
It made me cry
moran-7884523 February 2017
I have to admit this is the first movie to make me cry in many years. The final few minutes of the film was very powerful, especially when Jim Backus played his last scene.
I remember this program when it originally aired back in 1964. It was fun seeing the behind the camera action of these 7 actors who were stuck on that desert island in the vast Pacific.
I highly recommend this film to fans of the old show. It was great to see Bob Denver (Gilligan), Dawn Welles (Maryann) and Russell Johnson (the Professor) together after so many years. I think the bittersweet emotions they were experiencing was passed on to the audience.
We all have gotten older but the castaways are still together and trying to find away back to civilization. I hope they are forever on that island.
I remember this program when it originally aired back in 1964. It was fun seeing the behind the camera action of these 7 actors who were stuck on that desert island in the vast Pacific.
I highly recommend this film to fans of the old show. It was great to see Bob Denver (Gilligan), Dawn Welles (Maryann) and Russell Johnson (the Professor) together after so many years. I think the bittersweet emotions they were experiencing was passed on to the audience.
We all have gotten older but the castaways are still together and trying to find away back to civilization. I hope they are forever on that island.
DAWN'S LOVE SHINES BRIGHT IN SURVIVING GILLIGAN'S ISLAND!
JRPActor14 October 2001
Tonight on CBS I watched SURVIVING GILLIGAN'S ISLAND - WHAT AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT! I found the part documentary - part movie fascinating to watch, but mostly I could sincerely feel the love that Dawn Wells feels for these characters, and the people that created them, come across! What an endearing tribute to those who were involved with one of the funniest television shows in American history. How ironic that today's newspaper panned this movie, perhaps in the same way that the critics panned the series when it aired - but the fans watched, and I'll bet big bucks that most of those fans tuned into this movie and the ratings will be HUGE! For anyone who loves the series - you'll want to watch this! WELL DONE! BRAVO!
Sweet, amusing reflection of one of the best shows on TV!
dhallen15 October 2001
A sweet, wholesome, loving tribute to the show and stars. Surviving Gilligan's Island brought back a lot of fond memories. Having read some of the "behind the scenes" accounts by Sherwood Schwartz and the surviving cast members, I had heard many of the anecdotes before. Still, this was a wonderful reflection back on a great show.
Only For the Most Ardent Of Fans
Kelt Smith15 October 2001
The best thing that I can say about the tv movie "SURVIVING GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" is that the actors impersonating the original cast did an exceptional job ! In particular ERIC ALLAN KRAMER as 'Alan Hale Jr.', KRISTEN DALTON as 'Tina Louise', and although she doesn't resemble her much E.J. PEAKER (as 'Natalie Schafer) got her 'Lovey Howell' mannerisms down to an art. You can't pick on this tv movie for not being art, for the series on which it was based was ripped apart by critics from the beginning. It is, however, pure Americana, silly & fun. Reminds us of our childhoods or a (supposedly) simpler time. Interspersed with accounts by BOB DENVER, RUSSELL JOHNSON, (this)tv movie's co-producer DAWN WELLS and re-enactments to showcase what occurred regarding the original series of "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND", you just wonder why it was given so much build up and shown in a primetime spot on CBS on a Sunday night. Does the content belongs more to a 3 page spread in PEOPLE Magazine than in a 2 hour movie ? You be the judge. Some parts of the re-enactments are downright painful in their corniness. A scene where the late JIM BACKUS is supposedly accosted by a hooker in Rome in the late 60s ("See what ya get for 5 dollars !") has the feel of a lounge lizard's stand up routine. Quite a few times while watching, I had to remind myself that this wasn't some kiddie show on the FAMILY Channel. Apparently, aside from constant slighting by a (then)less than enthusiastic network, the 'castaways' had a good time doing the series. That is, minus TINA LOUISE, who comes off as something of a prima donna. The re-enactments have TINA LOUISE as less than accommodating to fans denying that she is indeed 'Ginger' from "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND", and generally being 'oh so superior'. LOUISE is also the only remaining cast member who wants nothing more to do with "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND", yet this is probably her best known role. Overall, I'd say that unless you are the most ardent of fans, "SURVIVING GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" is an unnecessary exercise in going behind the scenes.
A great time and a must-see for anyone, fan or not!
nicki_stovall12 November 2004
A wonderfully conceived biopic of how Sherwood Schwartz's idea became one of the most watched comedies in TV history, even to this day.
I loved it as a kid and still often watch with my boy. Too bad Tina Louise still harbors some latent hostility for the old show, and this "True Story" as well. It would have been so great for her to be a part of it. The behind-the-scenes stuff is a riot, and the actors who play the castaways are top-notch. It's wonderful seeing Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson, and Bob Denver together, talking about the fun times, and the poignant moments about Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, and Alan Hale, all who have since passed away. I never understood why the critics were so merciless in their hatred of the show. I'd pit 'Gilligan' against the tripe on TV these days anytime!
I loved it as a kid and still often watch with my boy. Too bad Tina Louise still harbors some latent hostility for the old show, and this "True Story" as well. It would have been so great for her to be a part of it. The behind-the-scenes stuff is a riot, and the actors who play the castaways are top-notch. It's wonderful seeing Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson, and Bob Denver together, talking about the fun times, and the poignant moments about Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, and Alan Hale, all who have since passed away. I never understood why the critics were so merciless in their hatred of the show. I'd pit 'Gilligan' against the tripe on TV these days anytime!
Very well crafted and funny. Original and refreshing direction.
TwoThumbsUp2 August 2001
Bravo to the people behind this production. It is original and told in high style. The short movies within this movie were funny, interesting and extremely well crafted. It's not your typical behind-the-scenes movie. It wasn't what I expected. It was much better.
The movie has Dawn Wells, Bob Denver and Russell Johnson (who all look great)doing wrap arounds. They introduce unknown stories that happened to them and the other Gilligan cast members before, during and after the show aired in 1964.
Dwayne Hickman is really well cast as the CBS Network Executive.
Paul A. Kaufman's direction is tight and original. His visual style is what really holds this film together. Duane Poole's script is funny and refreshing.
Other tech credits are solid with beautiful photography.
The movie has Dawn Wells, Bob Denver and Russell Johnson (who all look great)doing wrap arounds. They introduce unknown stories that happened to them and the other Gilligan cast members before, during and after the show aired in 1964.
Dwayne Hickman is really well cast as the CBS Network Executive.
Paul A. Kaufman's direction is tight and original. His visual style is what really holds this film together. Duane Poole's script is funny and refreshing.
Other tech credits are solid with beautiful photography.
Historically cool!
papamac63025 November 2006
If there was ever a show that actually is a "social microcosm", as Sherwood Schwartz stated, Gilligan's Island is it...the history and background of the show is gold to classic TV buffs...and this movie's format is perfect to tell the story of the "3 hour tour"...if the company that produced the film was thinking straight, they would re-release the DVD...after all, there's a whole new audience to inform...there are so many side stories that add to the aura of the show, it's as if you are at the set and behind the scenes, right there watching TV history being made...as a side note, Sherwood's book about the show is also a find...search the used bins, online sources, etc., and see if you can find the DVD...the search will be worth it!
Similar to the E! True Hollywood Story, only better
DrLance14 October 2001
This was fun. I had already seen the E! version, so the docudrama part was neat. It would have been nice to have Tina Louise take part, but I understand why that would be impossible...
Having the real people with the people acting as them plays with the head a bit, but then again, so did the series.
Having the real people with the people acting as them plays with the head a bit, but then again, so did the series.
"Comfort Food" for you and your TV.
brehbock15 October 2001
At first, I thought two hours was going to be a little long for this nostalgic look at the cast and making of the evergreen series, "Gilligan's Island." However, the retrospective was delightful! Mary Ann, Gilligan, and the Professor share their stories from this early sixties series that almost wasn't. The show is particularly funny when it's not pulling punches about Tina Louise's attitude toward the show (and it manages to get the digs in in a good-hearted way) and the Mary Ann vs Ginger comparison. The casting for the "then" characters is amazing, especially Eric Alan Kramer's Alan Hale Jr. and Steve Vinovich's Jim Backus. It rides the line between heartfelt and sappy very well and it's great to see how amazing Dawn Wells (Mary Ann), Bob Denver (Gilligan), and Russell Johnson (the Professor) look.
Very well done!
CocoJr14 October 2001
Ever watch a show that you expect to unfold a certain way and as you watch it, you realize it is nothing what you expected? This is the case with this show. Having the show done with narration by original actors during the show was very refreshing. The actors they got to play the parts were amazing! They all had the looks and actions down pat.
Watching the show made you feel good, and wanting to watch Gilligan's Island again!
Watching the show made you feel good, and wanting to watch Gilligan's Island again!
Total Propaganda
Moika15 October 2001
This show made me want to puke. Are we really supposed to believe that the entire cast of "Gilligan's Island" are saints (with the exception of Tina, who never comes back for reunions)? I think Mrs. Howell should have taken her shirt off more than just that once.
Blah
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This was fun to watch
DJAkin15 February 2003
As a 32 year old, I grew up with watching Gilligan's Island. By watching this interesting "behind the scenes", I learned a lot. Heck, I never realized that Tina Louise was ashamed of being a part of the series. What a loser! Anyway, this was a lot of fun to watch as was anything but a "scandle" documentary. I was, at first, expecting to see some kind of E The True Hollywood Story. This was, instead, a very tastefully and well done story.
A Really Great Film To Bring Back Memories Of The Past
Dolliac9 August 2002
I have been a huge Gilligan's Island fan since the day I was born, and after reading that they were making a "reunion" style movie based on the making I was VERY excited. From the first second, the colors are bright and vivid, the scenery is beautiful, and seeing 3 of the remaining 4 castaways brought tears of joy to my eyes.
Now, I don't want to attack anyone, but a previous reviewer stated that Dawn Wells was somewhat of a nasty person for casting a less then pleasant light on Tina Louise, but...I highly doubt that all Russell Johnson and Bob Denver would have participated if it was based on lies, and even though she wasn't (apparently) the greatest person to work with, they weren't completely negative towards her...there were several scenes where everyone got along togeather and seemed very happy.
The acting in the movie was above par, especially from some of the cast...well, recreating the cast. The actor chosen to play Alan Hale bore a STRIKING resembelance to The Skipper himself, and Jim Bacus' character was played perfectly! The rest of the cast did a wonderful job, but were slightly overshadowed by the standouts.
The narroration by the actual cast (Dawn, Russell, and Bob) was great, and really made me feel special, like they were letting my family and I in personally on secrets of the years past.
I loved this movie, and am SO glad that it was the success that it was in the ratings! It deserved to be one of the highest rated TV Movies, because in my oppinion, it was one of the best! Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson, and Bob Denver still look, act, and seem as wonderful as they were nearly 40 years ago (oh my gosh....I can't believe it has been THAT LONG!) I will always and forever be one of the biggest Gilligan's Island fans out there...and I am glad that the network finally realized that they had a goldmine in bringing back memories for all of us to remember, and enjoy!
~Grant
Now, I don't want to attack anyone, but a previous reviewer stated that Dawn Wells was somewhat of a nasty person for casting a less then pleasant light on Tina Louise, but...I highly doubt that all Russell Johnson and Bob Denver would have participated if it was based on lies, and even though she wasn't (apparently) the greatest person to work with, they weren't completely negative towards her...there were several scenes where everyone got along togeather and seemed very happy.
The acting in the movie was above par, especially from some of the cast...well, recreating the cast. The actor chosen to play Alan Hale bore a STRIKING resembelance to The Skipper himself, and Jim Bacus' character was played perfectly! The rest of the cast did a wonderful job, but were slightly overshadowed by the standouts.
The narroration by the actual cast (Dawn, Russell, and Bob) was great, and really made me feel special, like they were letting my family and I in personally on secrets of the years past.
I loved this movie, and am SO glad that it was the success that it was in the ratings! It deserved to be one of the highest rated TV Movies, because in my oppinion, it was one of the best! Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson, and Bob Denver still look, act, and seem as wonderful as they were nearly 40 years ago (oh my gosh....I can't believe it has been THAT LONG!) I will always and forever be one of the biggest Gilligan's Island fans out there...and I am glad that the network finally realized that they had a goldmine in bringing back memories for all of us to remember, and enjoy!
~Grant
A fun look into the show.
jimboman15 October 2001
I caught this last night (10/13/01) and was immediately sucked in. I had seen the ads and thought it was just anther TV movie. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that it was a more of a documentary style with the remaining cast (minus Tina Louise who will always be Ginger wether she likes it or not, and she doesn't) moving the story of the show along and doing intros to the recreations of key moments of the show's history.
I have no idea how accurate this portrayal is in the history of the show because time always seems to soften memories but the remaining cast seemed to have really loved one another and enjoyed working on the show (with the exception of Tina, of course). I felt that this show was very well done and I am glad that I watched it, even tho I haven't seen an episode of Gilligan's Island in a long long time.
I have no idea how accurate this portrayal is in the history of the show because time always seems to soften memories but the remaining cast seemed to have really loved one another and enjoyed working on the show (with the exception of Tina, of course). I felt that this show was very well done and I am glad that I watched it, even tho I haven't seen an episode of Gilligan's Island in a long long time.
very entertaining, even though I'm not old enough for the show
kayley4030 October 2001
Gilligan's Island was on the air about 20 years before I was born. I only ever watched the show on reruns, and even then I wasn't old enough to appreciate it. But after watching this special, I found myself wishing that I could watch the show on SuperStation once again. At the end of the special I was wishing that it wasn't over, that I had taped it so that I could show my friends and family. It was a really fun special, and I just had to watch it, even though it was on until midnight.
A long title, but a great documentary (movie).
slbp_9915 October 2001
This is a great documentary (movie). A great movie for a great TV show. Gilligan's Island will live for ever. IT was very interesting to see what happen behind the cameras and when the film stopped rolling. I hope this comes on video soon. I know I would buy it. A must see for a Gilligan's Island fan. It was cool how they did the real actors and the "fake" actors on this. They made this really good. I would recommend this to any one.
why god oh why
LarsTallica15 October 2001
I saw this special last night because i love Gilligan's Island and thought i was in for treat but boy was i wrong.This special was horrible.They had had ator's that didn't even look like the gilligan's island and it wasn't really even a story. They had these little known actor's played the Gilligan's Island cast offscreen as they were.Im pretty sure Alan Hale Jr. wasn't smacking Bob Denver around with his Hat outside the set. But i did like the Dawn Wells,Bob Denver and Russell Johnson did appear in this special.They talked about there experiences and then the actor's would act out a scene but very poorly done on the writer's part.Dawn Well's explained that she didn't know that Natalie Schafer had breast cancer for a long time and then there was a scene where a woman is saying she's scared about her operation of breast cancer and then the friend tells natalie schafer she doesn't know what she's talking about and then Natalie Schafer took off her shirt to show her she had the operation.What the ? But the only part worth putting in this Gilligan's island special was the end when it showed cast-mates of Gilligans Island behind the scene's footage while Louis Armstrong's "What a wonderful world played in the backround" Yes The original Gilligan's Island is a classic but this Cbs catrastrophe just drag's mud on the Gilligan's Island name
P.s bye the way Between Ginger and Mary-Ann i pick Mary Anne
P.s bye the way Between Ginger and Mary-Ann i pick Mary Anne
Interesting but biased?
atlantic96512 October 2004
I loved this documentary but kinda got the impression it was somewhat biased against Tina Louise. She is portrayed as selfish and self-centered in the show and the documentary states incorrectly she never participated in any reunions and cut her ties to the show because she thought it hurt her career. She did on several occasions appear in reunions the most famous was the 1988 Gilligan's Island reunion on the David Letterman show which was the last time the entire cast was together before the passings of Jim Backus in 1989, Alan Hale Jr in 1990 then Natalie Schafer in 1991. Tina has also appeared at a few others reunions the most recent was the TV Land awards. Still this documentary sheds light on a great deal of what went on behind the scenes and a must have for anyone who grew up on this show. The story of Jim Backus' battle with Parkinsons is compelling as is the story of Natalie Schafer's battle with breast cancer.
Interesting insight
dwp4942314 October 2001
Despite having seen almost every episode of this show in reruns growing up and having read Russell Johnson (Professor)'s book, I learned new things about my 7 favorite castaways. I knew Tina Louise had an attitude about being on Gilligan's Island but I just didn't know how big the attitude was.
Skipper!!!!!!
gazzo-215 October 2001
Well this was one of the stranger things I have seen, a psueo-'Behind the Show' type Bio on the Gilligan's cast, with the three surviving ones both narrating and occ. playing themselves. Intercut are re-enactments of the show, off-camera stuff and whatever, with these eerie scenes of Dawn Wells walking right into a scene and talking to 'herself'(played by someone else) in Wardrobe. Strange.
I enjoyed the tributes/portrayals of Alan Hale Jr., Backus and Schaefer the best. It was fun, esp. as the actors were all familiar TV faces. How much of this rings true, well, it's up to the viewer. No mention of Bob Denver's bust of late, or for that matter of how goofy the whole enterprise was-it's nostalgia, pure and simple.
I didn't like the one sided slant on Tina Louise, by the way, comes off as prima donna #1, all insulted by being on the show and all that. From what I can tell, it's more 'she doesn't do any reunions or anything with us so we will slag her for it', which isn't exactly fair. She was right, being on the show meant their careers were toast afterwards. Why should she wanna relive what amounted to career suicide?
Typecasting, the old demon of TV.
Overall, though, it was a good watch, not something you see everyday.
**1/2 outta **** stars.
I enjoyed the tributes/portrayals of Alan Hale Jr., Backus and Schaefer the best. It was fun, esp. as the actors were all familiar TV faces. How much of this rings true, well, it's up to the viewer. No mention of Bob Denver's bust of late, or for that matter of how goofy the whole enterprise was-it's nostalgia, pure and simple.
I didn't like the one sided slant on Tina Louise, by the way, comes off as prima donna #1, all insulted by being on the show and all that. From what I can tell, it's more 'she doesn't do any reunions or anything with us so we will slag her for it', which isn't exactly fair. She was right, being on the show meant their careers were toast afterwards. Why should she wanna relive what amounted to career suicide?
Typecasting, the old demon of TV.
Overall, though, it was a good watch, not something you see everyday.
**1/2 outta **** stars.
So doesn't "Camp Runamuck" rate a TV movie? (Well, no.)
Victor Field15 June 2004
"Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History," as well as fitting alongside "Rascals and Robbers: The Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn" and "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom" in the realm of TV movies with unbelievably long titles, is part documentary, part dramatization, part comedy and part nostalgia trip. Accordingly, it's also part successful.
Hosted by Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson and Bob Denver - the latter with "And Special Appearance By" credit, although he appears throughout the movie - this is shown from the off to be one for the fans, when the still-cute Wells boards a plane and the passengers break into the show's indelible theme song (she says this really did happen to her, and it's impossible to doubt it). It's especially hard to believe that many UK viewers will fully appreciate it; though it has aired in the UK, "Gilligan's Island" isn't as well known here as other American TV shows that have also been the subject of telemovies (like "Charlie's Angels" and "Batman"), but then again who's in a hurry to see ones about "The Good Life" or "Man About The House"? Especially as the most repeated series on British TV may well be "The Phil Silvers Show." But I digress. (Then again, maybe I don't - Silvers guested on the show once, and Gladasya [which made the show with United Artists for CBS] was his production company. Not many people know that.)
The movie's need to cram so much story into so little time means it plays like a Reader's Digest version of a book about the making of the series; it's rather jarring when an anecdote about a friend of Natalie Schaefer's having a mastectomy comes up. And though Tina Louise isn't too flatteringly portrayed here, it doesn't really come across as mudslinging (Louise has always been keen to distance herself from the series - she didn't even lend her voice to the cartoons "The New Adventures of Gilligan" and "Gilligan's Planet"). The constant cutting between the other three surviving cast members and the actors playing the original cast is an odd conceit, with every wall in sight broken when Dawn Wells gives Samantha Harris a crash course in Mary Ann's look ("This is a two-hour movie... let's cut to the chase"). But with the fine recreations with a particular nod to Steve Vinovich as Jim Backus and Laura Karpman's music in tune, as it were, with both the series and the period, it works.
It works in fits and starts, admittedly the scenes where it gets serious are very hit and miss, especially considering that the original series was not renowned for its sentimentality and it's ultimately more for people with a massive interest than the casual viewer (it bothers me a bit that the aforementioned animated spinoffs aren't mentioned - more understandably, neither is the next series Bob Denver did with Sherwood Schwartz, "Dusty's Trail"). Still, at least this approach is more original than a bigscreen movie, and this is a nicely put-together effort that serves both as a valentine to the show and a potted history, with some good laughs as well.
It would have been good if the story of how Schwartz pitched the idea to CBS by writing the theme song first and singing it to the board (as related in the book "TV's Greatest Hits") had been included, but at least the Professor finally answers the question of how someone so smart couldn't fix a hole in a boat - as the man says, if YOU were stuck on a desert island with Ginger and Mary Anne, would you fix it?
Hosted by Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson and Bob Denver - the latter with "And Special Appearance By" credit, although he appears throughout the movie - this is shown from the off to be one for the fans, when the still-cute Wells boards a plane and the passengers break into the show's indelible theme song (she says this really did happen to her, and it's impossible to doubt it). It's especially hard to believe that many UK viewers will fully appreciate it; though it has aired in the UK, "Gilligan's Island" isn't as well known here as other American TV shows that have also been the subject of telemovies (like "Charlie's Angels" and "Batman"), but then again who's in a hurry to see ones about "The Good Life" or "Man About The House"? Especially as the most repeated series on British TV may well be "The Phil Silvers Show." But I digress. (Then again, maybe I don't - Silvers guested on the show once, and Gladasya [which made the show with United Artists for CBS] was his production company. Not many people know that.)
The movie's need to cram so much story into so little time means it plays like a Reader's Digest version of a book about the making of the series; it's rather jarring when an anecdote about a friend of Natalie Schaefer's having a mastectomy comes up. And though Tina Louise isn't too flatteringly portrayed here, it doesn't really come across as mudslinging (Louise has always been keen to distance herself from the series - she didn't even lend her voice to the cartoons "The New Adventures of Gilligan" and "Gilligan's Planet"). The constant cutting between the other three surviving cast members and the actors playing the original cast is an odd conceit, with every wall in sight broken when Dawn Wells gives Samantha Harris a crash course in Mary Ann's look ("This is a two-hour movie... let's cut to the chase"). But with the fine recreations with a particular nod to Steve Vinovich as Jim Backus and Laura Karpman's music in tune, as it were, with both the series and the period, it works.
It works in fits and starts, admittedly the scenes where it gets serious are very hit and miss, especially considering that the original series was not renowned for its sentimentality and it's ultimately more for people with a massive interest than the casual viewer (it bothers me a bit that the aforementioned animated spinoffs aren't mentioned - more understandably, neither is the next series Bob Denver did with Sherwood Schwartz, "Dusty's Trail"). Still, at least this approach is more original than a bigscreen movie, and this is a nicely put-together effort that serves both as a valentine to the show and a potted history, with some good laughs as well.
It would have been good if the story of how Schwartz pitched the idea to CBS by writing the theme song first and singing it to the board (as related in the book "TV's Greatest Hits") had been included, but at least the Professor finally answers the question of how someone so smart couldn't fix a hole in a boat - as the man says, if YOU were stuck on a desert island with Ginger and Mary Anne, would you fix it?
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